16.2 Dependency Classes

Because Oracle Linux and DTrace support a variety of operating platforms
and processors, DTrace also labels interfaces with a
dependency class, which indicates whether an
interface is common to all Oracle Linux platforms and processors or
whether the interface is associated with a particular system
architecture. The dependency class is orthogonal to the stability
levels previously described in this document. For example, a
DTrace interface can be Stable, but only supported on x86_64
microprocessors. Or, the interface can be Unstable, but common to
all Oracle Linux platforms. The DTrace dependency classes are described in
the following table and listed in order, from least common (most
specific to a particular architecture), to most common (common to
all architectures).

Dependency Class

Description

Unknown

The interface has an unknown set of architectural
dependencies. DTrace does not necessarily know the
architectural dependencies of all entities, such as the
data types defined in the operating system
implementation. The Unknown label is typically applied
to interfaces of very low stability for which
dependencies cannot be computed. The interface might not
be available when using DTrace on
any architecture other than what
you are currently using.

CPU

The interface is specific to the CPU model of the
current system. Interfaces with CPU model dependencies
might not be available on other CPU implementations,
even if those CPUs export the same instruction set
architecture (ISA).

Platform

The interface is specific to the hardware platform for
the current system. A platform typically associates a
set of system components and architectural
characteristics. To display the current platform name,
use the uname -i command. The
interface might not be available on other hardware
platforms.

Group

The interface is specific to the hardware platform group
for the current system. A platform group typically
associates a set of platforms with related
characteristics together under a single name. To display
the current platform group name, use the uname
-m command. The interface is available on
other platforms in the platform group, but it might not
be available on hardware platforms that are not members
of the group.

ISA

The interface is specific to the ISA that is supported
by the microprocessors on the current system. The ISA
describes a specification for software that can be
executed on the microprocessor, including details such
as assembly language instructions and registers. To
display the native instruction sets that are supported
by the system, use the isainfo
command. The interface might not be supported on systems
that do not export any of the same instruction sets.

Common

The interface is common to all Oracle Linux platforms,
regardless of the underlying hardware. DTrace programs
and layered applications that depend only on Common
interfaces can be executed and deployed on other Oracle Linux
platforms with the same Oracle Linux and DTrace revisions. The
majority of DTrace interfaces are Common, so you can use
them wherever you use Oracle Linux.